Wednesday, 26 May 2010

"Arrogant Bastardis an aggressive beer. You probably won't like it. It's doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. We would suggest that you stick to safer and more familiar territory - maybe something with a multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at convincing you that it's made in a little brewery, or one that implies that their tasteless, fizzy yellow beer will give you more sex appeal. Perhaps you think that multi-million dollar ad campaigns make beer taste better. Perhaps you are mouthing your words as you read this..."

I was fortunate enough to taste this, together with the extraordinary Levitation Ale, at our extreme US Craft Beer Tasting a week ago. And now we have secured a keg, due to go on sale at some stage this weekend at Draft House Northcote. It won't last long...call ahead (020 7924 1814) to see if it's on.

Sunday, 23 May 2010

This was a cracker of an evening. Andreas Falt from Vertical Drinks did us proud, talking the group knowledgeably through the ten insane beers on offer. When, after beer # 5 or #6, the group grew restless and began indulging in that great crime of "talking amongst themselves" he would clap his hands briskly and efficiently together and order would miraculously be restored. The line-up, with tasting notes, is below.

Star attendees included beer blogger Mark Charlwood, Henrietta Lovell (The Rare Tea Lady), violinist Eos Chater of Bond and I at last was able to meet Nick Gibson, co-owner of Islington's Michelin-starred Drapers Arms. Also the charming Sam and Nigel from The Coastguard Arms in Kent - more here.

So thanks Andreas and to all who came. A top time was had by all.

Next event (blog-preview to follow) is on 16th June and is a demonstration of cask ale pouring techniques (go to http://sparkler.eventbrite.com/ for more info).

Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA – 7.2%
An American double IPA. Full bodied and lots of hop character. Good balance between malt, hops and
alcohol.

Victory HopDevil IPA – 6.7%
Menacingly delicious, with the powerful, aromatic punch of whole flower American hops backed up by
rich, German malts. HopDevil Ale offers a roller coaster ride of flavour, coasting to a smooth finish
that satisfies fully.

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA – 6.0%
60 Minute IPA is continuously hopped - more than 60 hop additions over a 60 minute boil 60 Minute is
a session India Pale Ale brewed with a slew of great NorthWest hops. A powerful, but balanced East
Coast I.P.A. with a lot of citrus hop character. The session beer for hardcore beer enthusiasts!

Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA – 9.0%
An Imperial I.P.A. A big beer with a great malt backbone that stands up to the extreme hopping rate.

Sierra Nevada Kellerweis - 4.8%
A great example of a Bavarian-style cloudy Wheat beer. Lots of banana and cloves on the nose and
refreshing full bodied palate.

Victory Saison – 6.8%
Their version of a Belgian style saison. On the nose the wheat malt and spices come through. On the
palate comes a balanced mixture of malt and spices. A beer that leaves you wanting more of it.

Stone Levitation Ale – 4.4% (my personal pick of the bunch)
Stone Levitation Ale might be the lowest ABV (4.4%) beer that they produce but there is no lack of
aroma or flavour in this one. It has a fantastic fresh hop aroma mixed with a malty background. In the
mouth it has a lot of flavours from the roasted malts and from the hops in the bitter finish.

Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale – 7.2% (we will shortly be the only people in the country to have this on draft)
Arrogant Bastard Ale is an American style strong ale with a hoppy finish. On the palate it is round,
velvet and with a slight sweetness. This is then finished with a warm and bitter finish. Not a beer for
the faint hearted.

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron – 12.0%
An unfiltered, unfettered, unprecedented brown ale aged in handmade wooden brewing vessels. The
caramel and vanilla complexity unique to this beer comes from the exotic Paraguayan Palo Santo wood
from which these tanks were crafted. Palo Santo means "holy tree" and it's wood has been used in
South American wine-making communities.

Wednesday, 12 May 2010

I now have the line-up for the tasting of ultra-extreme US Craft beers on 19th May (7.30pm at DH Westbridge).

Myself and Andreas from Vertical Drinks will be hosting. We are still finalising the line-up but the lead act will be a selection of wacko bottles from Dogfish Head, a gang of stoner-brewers from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware (marginally easier to pronounce than a certain Icelandic volcano). Star of the show may be the legendary 120-Minute IPA, which clocks in at an immodest 18% ABV. I say "may" because this stuff is as rare as hens' teeth. Follow us on Twitter for more updates. In the meantime, we can confirm the following monsters:

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale 5.6%

Sierra Nevada Kellerweis Hefeweizen 4.8%

Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA 7.2%

Victory HopDevil IPA 6.7%

Victory Saison (large format) 7.5%

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA 6.0%

Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA 9.0%

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron 12.0%

Stone Leviation Ale 4.0%

Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale 10.0%

Aficionados will have noticed the presence of Arrogant Bastard, a stupidly rare beer in the UK.

For £10 you will get the opportunity to attend a chaotic but ultimately satisfactory tasting.

I f you can't make this one, our next humdinger of this type will be on 16th June.

Saturday, 1 May 2010

Continuing our series of beer events on the THIRD WEDNESDAY of the month we are pleased and proud to announce a tasting of ultra-extreme US Craft beers on 19th May (7.30pm at DH Westbridge).

Myself and Andreas from Vertical Drinks will be hosting. We are still finalising the line-up but the lead act will be a selection of wacko bottles from Dogfish Head, a gang of stoner-brewers from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware (marginally easier to pronounce than a certain Icelandic volcano). Star of the show may be the legendary 120-Minute IPA, which clocks in at an immodest 18% ABV. I say "may" because this stuff is as rare as hens' teeth. Follow us on Twitter for more updates.

For £10 you will get the opportunity to attend a chaotic but ultimately satisfactory tasting. To book, click here.

I f you can't make this one, our next humdinger of this type will be on 16th June.